To market, to market

This weekend I made it to the Earth Market I mentioned a few posts ago. We got there a bit on the late side (around 12:30 p.m. and it closes at 2 p.m.) so the pickings on some things were starting to get a bit slim, but we did get a chance to sample various products, such as artisanal beer, sorbet and gelato. There was a long line at one of the bread stands and by the time we made our way around the market and came back, all of the bread was sold out, which was a pity. Everything at the market is produced within 40 km of the city, and I liked how each of the stands had a sign listing the origin and distance from the city. But I do have to say that not everything that is organic, artisanal or “slow” is necessarily more delicious. As my husband commented upon tasting one “all-natural” product sample, “Maybe I prefer the one with chemicals that is bad for you.” Because the market was winding down by the time we got there, we ended up eating lunch in a nearby Egyptian pizzeria (yes, Egyptians are famous in Milan for their pizza-making skills) where I had the worst bowl of pasta I’ve ever had in ten years of living in Italy. I guess I should have ordered pizza, but usually I prefer pizza that’s been made in Naples (or within 40 km)…

In the park where the market was held, there were two different areas with stands. This was the first of them.

Stands with Art Nouveau building in the background

There were also picnic tables where you could sit and eat your purchases or listen to various Slow Food lectures

I found this advertisement for McDonald's at the entrance to the park where the Slow Food market was held to be a bit odd

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9 Responses

Hi,
Yes, the McDonald’s sign is quite out of place. Does the presence of the sign suggest that they are a sponsor of the event? Wow. That’s different, isn’t it? Is the change in look reason to be there? Confused. . . . . very, very confused.
Dana

I’m pretty sure it was just a coincidence. This market is only held once a month, and the banner was there to advertise a remodeled McDonald’s on the same street. It says something like “We have a new look. You’ll eat it up with your eyes!” But it was kind of jarring to see the big Golden Arches from a distance as we approached the park and market.

I have a question that’s the antithesis of slow food: what food items, if any, do you have friends and family bring when they visit from the States? As a new expat with in-laws visiting next month, I wonder what it is that I need that I don’t yet realize I need?

Aside from Ziploc bags, there are very few things I ask for anymore. If you are a big baker (which I’m not necessarily), you might want to ask for brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, Splenda, etc. Obviously they have yeast and rising agents here, but if you follow an American recipe, it is hard to know how to substitute certain things. I make my own peanut butter and my own bagels, so I have that covered. I wasn’t a big junk food eater in the U.S. so I don’t miss certain things (like Doritos or Oreos – though I’ve seen Oreos here in the last year) I know others talk about missing. I would say to have people bring some little pleasure that you perhaps miss from your everyday U.S. life (mine used to be Big Red or really strong cinnamon gum) and anything you might need for baking. Anyone else have any suggestions?

Many stores catering to non-Italians sell peanut butter, but if you read the contents on the jars they are filled with preservatives and other chemicals. That grossed me out. Since I never made my own, I always asked for those ‘made with peanuts only’ brands, such as Trader Joe’s.
I also asked for aspirin. I know that is not a food item, but it was so expensive in Italy that I asked for that.
I knew of one US expat who asked for corn tortillas. I have seen the flour ones sold at expensive prices, but never the corn ones…and again I never made my own. This person also asked for Cracker Barrel cheese, which she said was cheddar cheese that doesn’t need refrigeration.
Those are all the suggestions that I remember from when I lived in Italy. Now that I live stateside I can really only tell you that the food I miss from Italy.

Thanks for the ideas! I like the suggestion of natural peanut butter, since that isn’t what they sell here.

We just had a round of 3 visits from Americans and I am now well-stocked on the following: infant acetaminophen, adult ibuprofen, baking powder, vanilla extract and enchilada seasoning packets. That should get us through til Christmas.

I think next time, too, I may ask for chocolate chips, as I haven’t seen those around Italy yet.

BTW, I just discovered Lampoclick zip-lock bags at our local Co-op, in baggie and freezer bag sizes. They just started stocking them.

Hello,
I ran across your blog while I was researching ” a US affiliated bank in Milan” as I am trying to obtain a US money order for the I30 family petition which I am filing in Rome for my husband. I have a few things in common with you as I am an American married to an Italian and am living in Milan. I also am expecting my first baby this year and noticed you went through the Italian medical system. I read your article, “Under the Milanese Bureaucracy” and have a few questions.
First, you mentioned you would have gone with a midwife for the birthing process, do you know where I could find an English speaking midwife? Second, did you ever find a bank in Milan that issues a US money order? Any other tips for this process? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Mille Grazie!

Hi Susan,
I got a cashier’s check drawn on a U.S. bank that my mother FedEx-ed me from the U.S. I then forwarded that on with my paperwork to Rome. It was a roundabout way to make the payment for the petition for the Green Card, but that was the only way I could think of to do it. They don’t make it easy.

I do know of one English-speaking midwife. You can email me and I’ll give you her info. I was pregnant three years ago so I may not be up-to-date on who or what is available out there now. You might check with Bhu-m Milano Mamme (http://www.bhu-m.it/). I think they hold prenatal classes in English. You might also check with the Moms and Tots club that meets at Sant’Ambrogio. SOMEONE there has to know of an English-speaking midwife. They advertise in Easy Milano so the contact info should be there. Also check with your local consultorio. Auguri, by the way! How far along are you?